My Christmas Gifts: Community and Worship
Thank goodness for a community that loves me even when I'm hard to love and doesn't give up on me because I have a bad week. Seriously one of the most amazing gifts I have in this season are the many, many people around me who make up my community, my family. My life is richer and much more survivable because of them all. When I think of my friends I know that I am very rich indeed.
My other gift this Christmas was worship....I have always been slightly envious of those people who were amazing at leading worship. People who were musically very talented and when they led worship God's presence just came. I looked at my mediocre keyboard and vocal skills (and woeful guitar skills) and thought that they would never be enough. But luckily for me God doesn't rely on great talent and skill for his presence to show up. Yes he uses our skill and we should be diligent with what God has given us (a completely different issue) but nonetheless he doesn't need it.
Sat alone the other day in my apartment I couldn't stay away from my keyboard any longer. As I sat down and began to worship my heart began to soften as God's presence came despite my lack of skill and stubborn heart.
Soon I found myself singing:
He was speaking right to my heart and my stubbornness and my heart was softened a little further. I remembered again that even in my inadequacies God will encounter me when I worship Him. I have no need for envy.
And so I am thankful in this season for the gifts of community and worship. They are indeed good gifts.
My other gift this Christmas was worship....I have always been slightly envious of those people who were amazing at leading worship. People who were musically very talented and when they led worship God's presence just came. I looked at my mediocre keyboard and vocal skills (and woeful guitar skills) and thought that they would never be enough. But luckily for me God doesn't rely on great talent and skill for his presence to show up. Yes he uses our skill and we should be diligent with what God has given us (a completely different issue) but nonetheless he doesn't need it.
Sat alone the other day in my apartment I couldn't stay away from my keyboard any longer. As I sat down and began to worship my heart began to soften as God's presence came despite my lack of skill and stubborn heart.
Soon I found myself singing:
He was speaking right to my heart and my stubbornness and my heart was softened a little further. I remembered again that even in my inadequacies God will encounter me when I worship Him. I have no need for envy.
And so I am thankful in this season for the gifts of community and worship. They are indeed good gifts.
Comments